Hockey may be the ultimate team sport, but it's the only sport that allows an individual player to have one of the most crucial roles in his team's success; the NHL goaltender.
Goaltenders have their own coaches and their own rituals. Some are placid, some talkative; others are feisty or combative—sometimes even with their own teammates. A goaltender can steal a game for an outmanned team. But when a goaltender fails, everyone in the arena knows it.
"The goalie is an individual position in a team sport," New York Islanders goaltender coach Mike Dunham told NHL.com." "They're out there to stop the puck and that's it, so they're off on their own island."
At least goaltenders have a little help these days. For decades, goalies were left to fend for themselves, but over the last two decades, teams have added goalie coaches. Dunham, an NHL goaltender from 1996-2007, has seen the role of the goaltender coach expand.
"When I first came into the League (with the Devils in 1996), I witnessed the evolution of the goalie coaches," Dunham said. "When I c ...
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Article written by Mike Stainkamp